Ozone injector device

ABSTRACT

An ozone injector device comprising a housing having a water passageway through the housing, a corona tube disposed within the housing and configured to generate ozone, an ozone inlet fitting removably coupled to the water passageway, the ozone inlet being in fluid communication with the corona tube via a corona discharge tube, and a spring-loaded clearing piston positioned to move into and out of the water passageway directly opposite the ozone inlet. The clearing piston is biased upwards, towards to the ozone inlet, and configured to prevent flow of ozone into the water passageway.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 17/339,006, titled “Ozone Injector Device,”filed Jun. 4, 2021, which is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 17/187,505, titled “Ozone Injector Device,”filed Feb. 26, 2021, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. DesignPatent application No. 29/770,856, titled “Ozone Injector Device,” filedFeb. 17, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent which, when dissolved in water,produces a broad spectrum biocide that destroys all bacteria, virusesand cysts. It is useful for water treatment, but known ozone injectorsystems require multiple different components and suffer from calciumbuildup which significantly reduces the effectiveness of the system.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved device/system for injectingozone into water as a means of water treatment.

SUMMARY

In the invention described herein is directed to my ozone injectordevice. The device has a housing, a corona tube, an ozone inlet, and aspring-loaded clearing piston.

The housing has a water passageway through the housing. The housing canbe formed by two removable halves, and the water passageway can be aventuri.

The corona tube is disposed within the housing and configured togenerate ozone.

The ozone inlet fitting is removably coupled to the water passageway.The ozone inlet is in fluid communication with the corona tube via acorona discharge tube.

The spring-loaded clearing piston is positioned to move into and out ofthe water passageway directly opposite the ozone inlet. The piston isbiased upwards, towards to the ozone inlet, and configured to preventflow of ozone into the water passageway and to prevent flow of waterinto the corona discharge tube.

Optionally, the piston is positioned to insert into the water passagewayat the water passageway's narrowest point.

The spring loaded clearing piston can comprise a lower housing coupledto an exterior surface of the water passageway that forms a lower cavityhaving an opening that permits atmospheric air to flow into and out ofthe lower cavity. Pressure changes in the water passageway induce thepiston to move between a flow position and a no-flow position.

When the piston is in the flow position, the piston is depresseddownward, such that ozone can enter the water passageway.

When the piston is in the no-flow position, the piston is spring-biasedupwards, and ozone is prevented from entering the water passageway andwater is prevented from entering the corona discharge tube.

Optionally, a high-voltage transformer is disposed within the housingand electrically coupled to a power source.

Optionally, the device can have an air filter housing with an air filtertherein positioned along an exterior surface of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to thoseskilled in the art with the benefit of the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of my ozoneinjector device;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of my ozone injector device of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an additional perspective view of the ozone injector device ofFIG. 1, wherein the top half of the housing has been removed;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of my ozone injector device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an additional exploded view of a portion of my ozone injectordevice of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of my ozone injector device of FIG. 1taken along line 6-6, wherein the clearing piston is in the no-flowposition;

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of my ozone injector device of FIG. 1,wherein the clearing piston is in the flow position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an additional side sectional view of the ozone injectordevice of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6, wherein an overflow position isshown;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the ozone tube shown in FIG. 4, takenalong line 11-11, wherein the flow of generated ozone within the ozonetube is shown via the arrows;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the ozone tube of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of myozone injector device;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged right side view of a portion of my ozone injectordevice of FIG. 13

FIG. 15 is enlarged left side of the portion of the ozone injectordevice of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the portion of the ozone injector deviceof FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a sectional side plan view of the ozone injector device ofFIG. 13, wherein the clearing piston is in the no-flow position;

FIG. 18 is a sectional, enlarged, side plan view of the portion of theozone injector device of FIG. 13, wherein the clearing piston is in theflow position and a wiring diagram is shown;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a portion of the ozone injector device ofFIG. 17, taken along line 19-19;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a portion of the ozone injector device ofFIG. 18, taken along line 20-20; and

FIG. 21 is an additional sectional side plan view of the ozone injectordevice of FIG. 13, wherein an overflow position is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have themeanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended bythe context in which such term is used.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are tobe construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless theirusage in context indicates otherwise.

As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of theterm, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to excludeother additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example onlyand are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown inthese Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood bythose with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, theactual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of adevice disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intendeduse.

All uses of positioning terms such as “upwards” and “downwards” in thisdisclosure are not limiting and are used only to describe the relationof the various components to each other when the device is in itstypical operating positon/orientation. However, because theposition/orientation of the device may vary, the meaning of “upwards”and “downwards” may vary depending on the position/orientation of thedevice.

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding features throughout the several views.Further, described herein are certain non-limiting embodiments of mypipeline filter assembly for pool filtering and maintenance.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 12, there is shown one embodiment of myozone injector device 100. The device has a housing 102, a corona tube104, a check-valve 106, an ozone inlet 108, and a spring-loaded clearingpiston 110.

The housing 102 has a water inlet 112 and a water outlet 114 in fluidcommunication with each other and forming a main water passageway 116through the housing. Optionally, the housing 102 can be formed by twohalves 102A, 102B removably coupled together by a plurality of fasteners105. The main water passageway can have a venturi 118 located thereinwhich is best seen in FIGS. 5 through 10. The water inlet 112 and thewater outlet 114 can be configured to couple to a water filtrationsystem for a pool or spa.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the housing 102 can have an air inlet 120with a removable cover 122. There can be a removable air filter 124disposed within the air inlet 120, behind the removable cover 122. Theair filter 124 is to ensure that no air leaving the housing 102 containsozone vapors.

The housing 102 can also have a fuse holder 126 positioned along anexterior surface of the housing 102. The fuse holder 126 is configuredto receive and retain a fuse. The fuse protects the device 100 frombeing damaged during a sure in electricity.

The corona tube 104 is disposed within the housing 102 and configured togenerate ozone. Preferably, the corona tube 104 has a longitudinal axisthat is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main waterpassageway 116 such that an upper portion 128 of the corona tube 104 ispositioned above the ozone inlet 108 of the main water passageway 116.This configuration ensures that liquid (ozone) in the corona tube 104travels downward and out of the ozone inlet 108 and into the waterpassageway 116.

The ozone tube 104 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thetube 104 comprises an outer casing 103, an inner glass or quartz tube101 is made from quartz, and there is a metallic tube 107 disposedwithin the inner glass tube 101 forming a space 109 therebetween. Outercasing 103 has a gas input 111 and a gas output 113. The transformer 164is electrically coupled to the metallic tube 107. A gas 115 that is anoxygen source (either air or pure oxygen gas) passes through the space109 formed between an outer surface of the glass tube 101 and an innersurface of the outer casing 103. Because the metallic tube 107 iselectrically charged (via the transformer 164), ozone 117 is formed inthe space 109 and leaves the casing 103 via the gas output 113. There isa dielectric 121 along an outer surface of the glass tube 107 thatassists in diffusing electrical discharge from the transformer 164 overthe glass tube 107. The dielectric 121 can be stainless steel oraluminum.

Preferably, there is a corona discharge tube 130 that connects thecorona tube output 113 to the ozone inlet 108. Optionally, the coronadischarge tube 130 forms a Hartford loop 132 between the corona tube 104and the ozone inlet fitting 108. The Hartford loop 132 allows the device100 to be installed below the pool water line. If a Hartford loop 132 isused, then the loop 132 must be run outside the device 100, above thepool water line, and back into the device 100. To that end, a loop door133 is provided on the outside of the device 100, which is best seen inFIG. 2. The loop door 133 has two ports 135A, 135B to allow the loop 132to exit and re-enter the device 100. The loop ports 135A, 135B can alsobe used to cap the ozone discharge tube 130 to pressure test the device100.

The check-valve 106 is best seen in FIG. 7 and has a first end 134 and asecond end 136. The first end 134 is removably coupled to the main waterpassageway 116 and has an outlet 138 with a valve seat 140. Preferablythe first end 134 of the check-valve 106 is threadedly coupled to themain water passageway 116.

The second end 136 of the check-valve 106 is configured to receive ozonefrom the ozone discharge tube 130 and has a cavity 142 with a movablefloat 144 contained therein. Typically, the float 144 is in the form ofa ball, forming a standard ball check-valve 106. The check-valve 106prevents water from back-flowing into the ozone discharge tube 130. Thecheck-valve 106 also comprises a pair of O-rings 145 and a pair of valveseats 147, one upper and one lower, for the float 144 to seal against.

The ozone inlet fitting 108 is removably coupled to the second end 136of the check-valve 106. The ozone inlet 108 is in fluid communicationwith the corona tube 104 via the corona discharge tube 130 such thatozone entering the main water passageway 116 through the ozone inlet 108must pass through the check-valve 106.

The spring-loaded clearing piston 110 is best seen in FIGS. 6 through 10and is positioned to move into and out of the main water passageway 116directly opposite the ozone inlet 108. The piston 110 is biased upwards,towards to the ozone inlet 108, and when pressed against the valve seat140, is configured to prevent flow of ozone into the main waterpassageway 116 and to prevent flow of water into the corona dischargetube 130. If the main water passageway 116 is or has a venturi 118, thepiston 110 is positioned to insert into the main water passageway 116 atthe main water passageway's 116 narrowest point. This can be seen inFIGS. 6 through 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the spring loaded clearing piston 110can comprise a lower housing 146 coupled to an exterior surface of themain water passageway 116, forming a lower cavity 148. There can be aspring 150 positioned within the lower cavity 148, below the piston 110,to spring-bias the piston 110 upwards and into contact with the valveseat 140 of the check-valve 106. This prevents water from entering thecorona discharge tube 130 and prevents ozone from entering the mainwater passageway 116. The clearing piston 110 also provides the addedadvantage of clearing calcium buildup from ozone injector port (valveseat 140), as this a known point of failure in prior art ozone injectordevices.

As best seen in FIG. 9, preferably, there is an upper cavity 152disposed within a side surface 154 of the main water passageway 116 thatmates with the lower cavity 148. The piston 110 is positioned within thecavities 148, 152, and the upper cavity 152 and the lower cavity 148 aredivided by a flexible diaphragm 156 that is coupled to and moves withthe piston 110.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, both the upper cavity 152 and the lowercavity 148 are in fluid communication with the main water passageway 116via their own pressure adjustment passageway 158A, 158B. Pressurechanges in the main water passageway 116 induce the piston 110 to movebetween a flow position 160 and a no-flow position 162.

The no-flow position 162 is shown in FIG. 8. When the piston 110 is inthe no-flow position 162, the piston 110 is spring-biased upwards,against the valve seat 140, and ozone is prevented from entering thewater passageway 116 and water is prevented from entering the coronadischarge tube 130. Water pressure in the lower cavity 148 being greaterthan water pressure in the upper cavity 152 induces the piston 110 to bepositioned in the no-flow position 162. Stated another way, the waterpressure entering the water passageway 116 is les than the waterpressure leaving the water passageway 116, and the upward force of thespring 150 has not been overcome. This no-flow position 162 is thenaturally biased positon of the piston 110 due to the spring 150 underthe piston 110 constantly pushing the piston 110 upwards.

The flow position 160 is shown in FIG. 9. When the piston 110 is in theflow position 160, the piston 110 is depressed downward, away from thevalve seat 140 such that ozone can enter the water passageway 116. Thisis caused by water pressure in the upper cavity 152 being greater thanwater pressure in the lower cavity 148 and overriding the upwardpressure of the spring 150 below the piston 110. Stated another way, thewater pressure entering the water passageway 116 is greater than thewater pressure leaving the water passageway 116.

Optionally, a high-voltage transformer 164 is disposed within thehousing 102 and can be electrically coupled to a power source. The powersource can be either internal to the device 100 or external to thedevice 100. If the power source is external, there is a power cord port165 in the side of the housing 102.

If the device 100 has a venturi 118 located/formed within the main waterpassageway 116, then the device 100 can also comprise a bypass valve 166and form water bypass passageways 168 between an exterior surface of theventuri 118 and an interior surface 169 of the main water passageway116. These components are best seen in FIGS. 5 and 10. If the water flowincreases to a point where the restriction through the center of theventuri 118 creates too much back pressure, the bypass valve 166 willopen and allow water to flow around the venturi 118. The bypass valve166 is located proximate the water outlet 114 of the device 100 andcomprises a base 170, a spring 172, and a poppet 174. There is a tubularextension 176 that extends an outlet 178 of the venturi to be inapproximately in line with the outlet 114 of the water passageway 116.The base 170 is threadedly coupled to an interior of the water outlet114, with the extension 176 passing through a center of the base 170.The spring 172 and the poppet 174 are slidably positioned around theextension 176, such that the spring 172 that is applying an outwardpressure against both the poppet 174 and the base 170. This pressurecauses the poppet 174 to seal against a valve seat 180 formed betweenthe extension 176 and the interior surface 169 of the water passageway116. When the poppet 174 is pressed against the valve seat 180, thebypass valve 166 is in the closed position. The bypass valve 166 closedpositon is best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.

When the pressure becomes too great, and the biasing pressure of thespring 172 can be overcome, the poppet 174 is then forced away from thevalve seat 180, allowing water to flow around the exterior of theventuri 118, through the water bypass passageways 168, and out the wateroutlet 114 of the device 100. The bypass valve 166 begins to open atapproximately 25 GPM (gallons per minute). This is the open position ofthe bypass valve 166, and is best shown in FIG. 10. The flow of waterthrough the bypass passageways 168 is shown with the arrows. The spring172 is interchangeable, meaning, a user can use different springs 172having different strengths to adjust the pressure threshold required toopen the bypass valve 166.

The ozone injector device 100 may be constructed from subparts made byinjection mold. The injection mold process may use a variety of plasticsknown in the industry, for example, PVC. Subsequent to molding saidsubparts, the subparts may then be glued to a standard pipe sufficientfor pool filtering uses, for example, schedule 40 PVC pipe or othertypes of pipe. Construction by injection mold of smaller subparts meansthat overly large injection molds are not required, and thus savings maybe had during construction and then passed to end consumers.

The device 100 is used by coupling the device 100 to a pool or spafilter system and dispensing ozone to the water flowing through thedevice 100. The device 100 self-regulates the dispensing of the ozone sono user input is needed for the device 100 to perform its normal dailyfunctions.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 through 20, there is shown another embodimentof my ozone injector device 200. The device 200 has a housing 202, acorona tube 204, an ozone inlet 208, and a spring-loaded clearing piston210.

The housing 202 has a water inlet 212 and a water outlet 214 in fluidcommunication with each other and forming a main water passageway 116through the housing. Optionally, the housing 202 can be formed by twohalves 202A, 202B removably coupled together by a plurality of fasteners205. The main water passageway can have a venturi 218 located thereinwhich is best seen in FIGS. 17 through 21. The water inlet 212 and thewater outlet 214 can be configured to couple to a water filtrationsystem for a pool or spa.

The second embodiment 200 can have an air filter 224. The air filter 224is located within an air filter housing 220, and air filter housing 220is coupled to air intake hose 221, which is coupled to the corona tube204. Air enters the air intake hose 221, via the air filter 224 and airfilter housing 220, and flows into the corona tube 204. The air filter224 is to ensure that no air leaving the housing 202 contains ozonevapors.

The corona tube 204 is disposed within the housing 202 and configured togenerate ozone. Preferably, the corona tube 204 has a longitudinal axisthat is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main waterpassageway 216 such that an upper portion 128 of the corona tube 204 ispositioned above the ozone inlet 208 of the main water passageway 216.This configuration ensures that liquid (ozone) in the corona tube 204travels downward and out of the ozone inlet 108 and into the waterpassageway 216.

The ozone tube 204 of the second embodiment function in the same way asthe ozone tube 104 of the first embodiment, which is shown in greaterdetail in FIGS. 11 and 12 and discussed above.

Preferably, there is a corona discharge tube 230 that connects thecorona tube output 213 to a 12 volt (VDC N.O.) solenoid valve 290. Thesolenoid valve 290 is coupled to an N. O. vacuum switch 291 by aT-fitting 292, which is then connected to an L-fitting 293, which isthen connected to the ozone inlet fitting 208 by a second length of theozone/corona discharge tube 230. This means that the device 200 utilizesa 12V power connection which is safe for use around bodies of water. Thevalve 290 and switch 291 allow for a trouble free cleaning protocol.This also allows the device 200 to turn on and go off automatically whenthe pool/spa water pump to which it is connected starts up. There is noneed to connect this device 200 to a complex system controller.

The ozone inlet fitting 208 is removably coupled to the water passageway216, and optionally, the venturi 218. Optionally, there can be aplurality of O-rings or gaskets/seals 245 positioned between the ozoneinlet fitting 208 and the venturi 218. The ozone inlet 208 is in fluidcommunication with the corona tube 204 via the corona discharge tube230.

The spring-loaded clearing piston 210 is best seen in FIGS. 17 through20, and functions in much the same way as the clearing piston 110 of thefirst embodiment. It is positioned to move into and out of the mainwater passageway 216 directly opposite the ozone inlet 208. The piston210 is biased upwards, towards the ozone inlet 208, and into an ozoneoutlet 238. When inserted into the ozone outlet 238, the piston isconfigured to prevent flow of ozone into the main water passageway 216and to prevent flow of water into the corona discharge tube 230. If themain water passageway 216 is or has a venturi 218, the piston 210 ispositioned to insert into the main water passageway 216 at the mainwater passageway's 216 narrowest point. This can be seen in FIGS. 17through 20.

As best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, the spring loaded clearing piston 210can comprise a lower housing 246 coupled to an exterior surface of themain water passageway 216, forming a lower cavity 248. There can be aspring 250 positioned within the lower cavity 248, below the piston 210,to spring-bias the piston 210 upwards and into the ozone outlet 238. Asnoted above, this prevents water from entering the corona discharge tube230 and prevents ozone from entering the main water passageway 216. Theclearing piston 210 also provides the added advantage of clearingcalcium buildup from ozone injector port (ozone outlet 238) as this aknown point of failure in prior art ozone injector devices.

As best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, preferably, there is an upper cavity252 disposed within a side surface 254 of the main water passageway 216that mates with the lower cavity 248. The piston 210 is positionedwithin the cavities 248, 252, and the upper cavity 252 and the lowercavity 248 are divided by a flexible diaphragm 256 that is coupled toand moves with the piston 210.

A side surface of the venturi 218 has a piston cavity 257 locatedtherein. The piston 210 extends up and through the piston cavity 257.The piston 210 has an O-ring/seal 259 that seals the piston 210 to aninternal surface of the piston cavity 257, creating an airtight andwatertight seal.

The lower cavity 248 has an opening 258 at one end that allowsatmospheric air to enter and access the lower cavity 248. Due to theposition of the diaphragm 256, atmospheric air cannot enter the uppercavity 252.

Pressure changes in the main water passageway 216 induce the piston 210to move between a flow position 260 and a no-flow position 262. Theno-flow position 262 is shown in FIG. 19. When the piston 210 is in theno-flow position 262, the piston 210 is spring-biased upwards, into theozone outlet 238, and ozone is prevented from entering the waterpassageway 216 and water is prevented from entering the corona dischargetube 230. The water pressure in the water passageway 216 is equal thepressure created by the venturi 218, and the atmospheric pressure andthe spring 250 biasing power in the lower cavity 248 are greater thanwater pressure in the water passageway 216 and the pressure created bythe venturi, which allows the spring 250 to bias the piston 210 upwardsand into the no-flow position 262. This no-flow position 262 is thenaturally biased positon of the piston 210 due to the spring 250 underthe piston 210 constantly pushing the piston 210 upwards.

The flow position 260 is shown in FIG. 20. When the piston 210 is in theflow position 260, the piston 210 is depressed downward, away and out ofthe ozone outlet 238 such that ozone can enter the water passageway 216.The flow position 260 is caused by the water pressure in the waterpassageway 216 being greater than the atmospheric pressure (and spring250 biasing power) in the lower cavity 248, and the being greater thanthe venturi pressure. This creates a high pressure differential acrossthe piston O-ring 259. Because the effective area of the diaphragm 256is much larger than the piston O-ring 259, the net hydraulic force isdown. This downward force compresses the spring 250 and moves the piston210 out of the ozone outlet 238.

Optionally, a high-voltage transformer 264 is disposed within thehousing 202 and can be electrically coupled to a power source. The powersource can be either internal to the device 200 or external to thedevice 200. If the power source is external, there is a power cord port265 in the side of the housing 202.

If the device 200 has a venturi 218 located/formed within the main waterpassageway 216, then the device 200 can also comprise a bypass valve 266and form water bypass passageways 268 between an exterior surface of theventuri 218 and an interior surface 269 of the main water passageway216. These components are best seen in FIG. 21. If the water flowincreases to a point where the restriction through the center of theventuri 218 creates too much back pressure, the bypass valve 266 willopen and allow water to flow around the venturi 218. The bypass valve266 is located proximate the water outlet 214 of the device 200 andcomprises a base 270, a spring 272, and a poppet 274. There is a tubularextension 276 that extends an outlet 278 of the venturi to be inapproximately in line with the outlet 214 of the water passageway 216.The base 270 is threadedly coupled to an interior of the water outlet214, with the extension 276 passing through a center of the base 270.The spring 272 and the poppet 274 are slidably positioned around theextension 276, such that the spring 272 that is applying anoutward/spreading pressure against/between both the poppet 274 and thebase 270. This pressure causes the poppet 274 to seal against a valveseat 280 formed between the extension 276 and the interior surface 269of the water passageway 216. When the poppet 274 is pressed against thevalve seat 280, the bypass valve 266 is in the closed position. Theclosed position of the bypass valve 266 is best seen in FIGS. 17 and 18.

When the water pressure in the water passageway 216 becomes too great,and the biasing pressure of the spring 272 can be overcome, and thepoppet 274 is then forced away from the valve seat 280, allowing waterto flow around the exterior of the venturi 218, through the water bypasspassageways 268, and out the water outlet 214 of the device 200. Thebypass valve 266 begins to open at approximately 25 GPM (gallons perminute). This is the open position of the bypass valve 266, and is bestshown in FIG. 21. The flow of water through the bypass passageways 268is shown with the arrows. The spring 272 is interchangeable, meaning, auser can use different springs 272 having different strengths to adjustthe pressure threshold required to open the bypass valve 266.

The ozone injector device 100, 200 may be constructed from subparts madeby injection mold. The injection mold process may use a variety ofplastics known in the industry, for example, PVC. Subsequent to moldingsaid subparts, the subparts may then be glued to a standard pipesufficient for pool filtering uses, for example, schedule 40 PVC pipe orother types of pipe. Construction by injection mold of smaller subpartsmeans that overly large injection molds are not required, and thussavings may be had during construction and then passed to end consumers.

The device 100, 200 is used by coupling the device 100, 200 to a pool orspa filter system and dispensing ozone to the water flowing through thedevice 100, 200. The device 100, 200 self-regulates the dispensing ofthe ozone so no user input is needed for the device 100, 200 to performits normal daily functions.

The ozone injector device 100, 200 of the present invention has manyadvantages, including but not limited to:

The device 100, 200 is an all-in-one, self-contained water ozonetreatment system. There is no need for a separate ozone generator and/orinjector.

The clearing piston 110, 210 automatically cleans calcium buildup fromthe ozone injector port (valve seat 140, ozone outlet 238), and this isa well-known point of failure for existing ozone injector systems.

The integrated bypass valve 166, 266 regulates water flow through thecenter of the venturi 118, 218 which then, by default, also regulatesthe flow of ozone into the venturi 118, 218.

The spring 172, 272 that is part of the bypass valve 166, 266 can bechanged to adjust the pressure threshold at which the bypass valve 166,266 opens.

The Hartford loop 132 allows for the ozone device 100, 200 to beinstalled below the pool water line.

The check-valve 106 prevents water from flowing into the ozone dischargetube 130.

A ozone shut off valve is formed by the biasing of the piston 110, 210against valve seat 140 and/or into ozone outlet 238. This is a hard shutoff valve that blocks the ozone flow port when the device 100, 200 isturned off. This prevents water from leaking past the check-valve 106(or ozone inlet 208) and into the ozone discharge tube 130, 230 whilethe device 100, 200 is shut off.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments arepossible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, arenot intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that eachstep is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplarysteps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in thisdisclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ozone injector device comprising: a) a housingformed by two halves removably coupled together, the housing having: i)a water passageway through the housing, wherein the water passageway isa venturi and the water inlet and the water outlet are configured tocouple to a water filtration system for a pool or spa; and ii) an airfilter housing with an air filter therein positioned along an exteriorsurface of the housing; b) a corona tube disposed within the housing andconfigured to generate ozone; c) a high-voltage transformer disposedwithin the housing and electrically coupled to a power source; d) anozone inlet comprising an ozone inlet fitting removably coupled to thewater passageway, the ozone inlet fitting being in fluid communicationwith the corona tube via a corona discharge tube and in fluidcommunication with an ozone outlet opening in a side surface of thewater passageway; and e) a spring-loaded clearing piston positioned tomove (i) into and out of the water passageway via a piston cavityopening in the side surface of the water passageway directly oppositethe ozone outlet opening and (ii) into the ozone outlet opening toprevent flow of ozone into the water passageway, the clearing pistonbeing biased upwards towards the ozone outlet opening.
 2. An ozoneinjector device comprising: a) a housing having a water passagewaythrough the housing; b) a corona tube disposed within the housing andconfigured to generate ozone; c) an ozone inlet comprising an ozoneinlet fitting removably coupled to the water passageway, the ozone inletfitting being in fluid communication with the corona tube via a coronadischarge tube and in fluid communication with an ozone outlet openingin a side surface of the water passageway; and d) a spring-loadedclearing piston positioned to move (i) into and out of the waterpassageway via a piston cavity opening in the side surface of the waterpassageway directly opposite the ozone outlet opening and (ii) into theozone outlet opening to prevent flow of ozone into the water passageway,the clearing piston being biased upwards towards the ozone outletopening.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the device housing is formedby two halves removably coupled together.
 4. The device of claim 2,wherein the water passageway is a venturi.
 5. The device of claim 2,wherein the piston is positioned to insert into the water passageway atthe water passageway's narrowest point.
 6. The device of claim 2,wherein the spring loaded clearing piston comprises a lower housingcoupled to an exterior surface of the water passageway and forming alower cavity having an opening that permits atmospheric air to flow intoand out of the lower cavity, such that pressure changes in the waterpassageway induce the piston to move between a flow position and ano-flow position.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein when the piston isin the flow position, the piston is depressed downward, such that ozonecan enter the water passageway.
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein whenthe piston is in the no-flow position, the piston is spring-biasedupwards, and ozone is prevented from entering the water passageway andwater is prevented from entering the corona discharge tube.
 9. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein the spring-loaded piston comprises a springpositioned within the lower cavity, below the piston, to spring-bias thepiston upwards, thereby preventing water from entering the coronadischarge tube and preventing ozone from entering the water passageway.10. An ozone injector device comprising: a) a housing having a waterpassageway through the housing: b) a corona tube disposed within thehousing and configured to generate ozone; c) an ozone inlet comprisingan ozone inlet fitting removably coupled to the water passageway, theozone inlet fitting being in fluid communication with the corona tubevia a corona discharge tube and in fluid communication with an ozoneoutlet opening in a side surface of the water passageway; and d) aspring-loaded clearing piston positioned to move (i) into and out of thewater passageway via a piston cavity opening in the side surface of thewater passageway opposite the ozone outlet opening and (ii) into theozone outlet opening to prevent flow of ozone into the water passageway.11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device housing is formed by twohalves removably coupled together.
 12. The device of claim 10, whereinthe water passageway is a venturi.
 13. The device of claim 10, furthercomprising an air filter housing with an air filter therein positionedalong an exterior surface of the housing.
 14. The device of claim 10,wherein the piston is positioned to insert into the water passageway atthe water passageway's narrowest point.
 15. The device of claim 10,wherein the spring loaded clearing piston comprises a lower housingcoupled to an exterior surface of the water passageway and forming alower cavity that is in fluid communication with the water passageway bya pressure inlet and a pressure outlet, such that pressure changes inthe water passageway induce the piston to move between a flow positionand a no-flow position.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein when thepiston is in the flow position, the piston is depressed downward, suchthat ozone can enter the water passageway.
 17. The device of claim 15,wherein when the piston is in the no-flow position, the piston isspring-biased upwards, and ozone is prevented from entering the waterpassageway and water is prevented from entering the corona dischargetube.
 18. The device of claim 15 wherein the spring-loaded pistoncomprises a spring positioned within the lower cavity, below the piston,to spring-bias the piston upwards, thereby preventing water fromentering the corona discharge tube and preventing ozone from enteringthe water passageway.
 19. The device of claim 15 wherein the coronadischarge tube forms a Hartford loop between the corona tube and theozone inlet fitting.